Dismal football stats official for Huskies, Cougars

By HOWIE STALWICK, SPECIAL TO THE P-I

Published 10:00 pm, Friday, January 9, 2009

This just in from the NCAA: The Washington and Washington State football teams were really, really bad in 2008.

The 37 team statistics compiled by the NCAA became final when the last bowl game was played Thursday. The 0-12 Huskies finished 100th or lower in 25 categories in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and the 2-11 Cougars came in 100th or lower in 23 statistics among the 119 teams.

The Cougars did "top" Washington by finishing last in six stats, compared with "only" two for the Huskies.

WSU was last in per-game averages for rushing yards allowed (247.6), turnover margin (minus-1.9) and tackles for loss allowed (9.2). The Cougars also brought up the rear in third-down conversion percentage (26.8), turnovers (38, tied with South Carolina) and fumbles recovered (three, tied with Washington and Tennessee).

In addition to fumbles recovered, Washington wound up last in total turnovers gained with 10.

The Huskies placed in the top 35 in two stats: fewest penalties per game (tied for 18th with 4.7) and fewest penalty yards per game (17th with 39.8).

Washington State finished in the top 60 in only one statistic -- passing yards allowed per game. The Cougars came in 44th at 195.8, partly because opponents had so much success rushing.

The Cougars would have set a major college record for points allowed with 570, but North Texas -- playing one fewer game than WSU -- reached 571 in its final game.

Washington was 117th in points per game at 13.3; WSU was 118th at 12.7. The Huskies were 116th in total offense at 263.2 yards per game; the Cougars were 118th at 241.1.

On defense, Washington came in 116th in points per game allowed (38.6) and 110th in total yards per game allowed (451.8). WSU's respective marks were 118th (43.9) and 108th (443.4).